I am looking to get a new 2003 GS pretty soon, but i was wondering if anyone had any idea how long Lexus generally keeps the prior year model in their inventory. I'm not ready to make the purchase just yet, but I will most likely be ready in about a month or so. My local dealer has a few left in stock, but i'm just hoping there will be a couple left by the time i'm ready to make the purchase. Anyone have any idea how long they typically keep the year before models in stock ? Will they still keep 2003's in April ? also, what happens if they don't sell, do the dealers auction them off or do they just offer them at crazy discounts ? if anyone has any info on this, that would be great, Thanks !

 

While I can't answer your question, I can give you my advice. Don't do it. Don't ever buy last year's car (unless it is used and you are getting a great deal). Dealers will not take a huge loss on the car, there is always someone who will buy it and for probably only a grand or two less than you could get the 04 for. But your depreciation is going to be a lot higher than that right off the bat. So unless you are planning on keeping it 6+ years, your savings probably won't be worth it.

 

Thanks for responding to my message, Doug. I appreciate your good advice. Yeah, i might be keeping it for awhile, so the depreciation factor isnt too much of an issue. I would still be interested in knowing what happens if the dealers "can't" sell the car (not saying they won't, but just in theory). Would they offer it at an amazing discount ? Let's just say the color combination is unpopular or for whatever reason, it just doesn't sell. Do they auction them off ? or do they just keep them until someone buys it no matter how long it sits there? This has always made me wonder. I remember in 2002, i went to this auto auction in Pennsylvania and they had a 2000 LS400 that had 0 miles on it. It was brand new, never driven. I'm wondering if maybe that was one of the leftovers that Lexus couldn't sell with the new 2001 bodystyle just coming out. Anyone else ever wonder about this ?

 

wow..your dealer still have 2003s?

i work for a MB dealer in LA, and only the rare(or unpopular) cars have leftovers. most of time dealer simply try to dump them at great deal

 

I was told by Keyes Lexus here in So Cal...........Lexus only manufactures GS430 in 3 colors in 2004: Silver, black, and white. And all GS430 are come fully loaded with EVERY OPTION.
I was planned to purchase a 2004 blue GS430 without the Navi

 

Generally, I would agree that you can get into the new model for only a few grand more (if that), but I do think it all depends on how much research you do and whether you have the ability to haggle your way into the price point you see the car valued at. I bought an '02 at the beginning of '03 model year and did my research, made them an offer based on blue book value (since they ALL go by blue book numbers), and they eventually came back and agreed to the deal. Of course, it took time, but the car is still worth what I paid at that time.

The only reason the dealer (in So. Cal) got a hold of a prior year model car is because they bought the excess inventory from other dealers around the country. So, I think you can get a good deal, but you need to be willing to walk away (as I was) if they do not come back and agree to your price. (it may also help in your deal if any other family members have bought cars from the same dealership...hence, I dug up about 6 purchases from my wife's side of the family in the last 3 years...and they didn't want to lose our collective business)

Good luck!

 

I don't think any of the dealers here in NC keep the past year's models. I was told that the dealers are allocated cars of each model every month based on how many of each model they sold during that month the year before. Like if he sold 3 GS3s in March '03, he'll get 3 GS3s in March '04 and that's it. I was told that because of this special ordering a car is difficult and you basically have to try to find the car you want at other dealerships and have them sent over. I think they can pick what level of equipment they want as well, but it may be forced on them to some extent. The dealer in Raleigh had 2 fully loaded GS3s, while the dealer in Kernersville said he wouldn't take a fully loaded GS3 unless he had to because he couldn't sell them with navigation. IF any/all of this is true, I have no idea how it works for new models like the '01s and the '06s.

 

I REALLY wanted a blue GS430 - with NAV and WITHOUT Chromes - no chance - and this was 03. You can of course order one (if you can find a dealer willing), but the dealers will give you a much better deal on one in stock - and that's what happened to me. They basically made me a deal I couldn't refuse. So three more years of black on black. There are worse color combos!